NYSERDA Helps Save Albany School District Money on Energy Efficiency

NYSERDA and Recovery Act Funding Helps School District Reduce Energy Costs by $460,000 Annually

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) presented the City School District of Albany Board of Education with its High Performance Building Plaque last week in recognition of the energy-saving investments it made at Hackett Middle School that will reduce energy costs by $260,000 annually.    

The Hackett Middle School renovation project, started in 2005 and completed in July 2008, was supported by nearly $273,000 in NYSERDA incentives that helped fund the purchase and installation of a new energy-efficient lighting and lighting control system, high efficiency chiller system, digitally controlled building management system and various other energy efficiency measures.

Over the past six years, NYSERDA also has partnered with the City School District on energy efficiency projects at Albany High School, Albany School of Humanities, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy and the Delaware Community School.  These projects, which include upgrades to lighting, HVAC, building management systems and other measures, were supported by more than $300,000 in NYSERDA and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act incentives.  They are anticipated to provide the school district with another $200,000 in additional cost-savings annually. 

In addition, the Recovery Act has funded energy conservation studies for Delaware Community School and Myers Middle School to help identify additional areas for energy efficiency improvements.
“Congratulations to the Albany School District on receiving this award and for their commitment to energy efficiency, which will result in substantial long-term savings,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “These savings are critically important as districts work to balance budgets and maintain the quality of their educational programs.”

“Investments in energy efficiency and sustainable building materials are the most cost-effective investments school districts can make to control costs, reduce energy consumption and promote a healthy indoor learning environment for students,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.  “I commend President Egan, Superintendent Colucciello and the leadership of the City School District of Albany for the high priority they have placed on conserving energy and preserving our environment.”

NYSERDA High Performance Building Plaques are presented to hospitals, colleges and universities, schools, businesses, and other organizations that have constructed buildings designed to perform at least 30 percent above the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code.
The plaque was presented to School Board President Daniel Egan and Superintendent Raymond Colucciello.

“Saving energy in our schools is the right thing to do for the environment and it translates into savings for taxpayers,” Egan said.  “Everybody wins here.”

“The partnership between Hackett Middle School and NYSERDA demonstrates how we can be more energy efficient, while at the same time provide a great savings to our school districts,” stated Senator Neil D. Breslin (D -Delmar). “This is a great example of how both environmental and economic efficiencies can in fact work hand in hand.”

Assemblyman John McEneny said, “As a former Social Studies and English teacher at Hackett it gives me great pleasure to see the Albany City School District serving future generations of students in a green building.”